EVE’S ENEMY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume V, Issue 45, 8 November 1890, Page 22

EVE’S ENEMY.

Eve was full of good resolutions as she dressed in the morning. It was such a lovely day that, as she stood before thewindow, brushing her hair, she felt it was impossible to beanything but happy and good on such a day. The window was wide open, allowing full passage to the soft spring air and sweet scents of the garden, and before Eve’s eyes were the snow-capped Southern Alps, shining pure white in the bright sunshine against the azure sky. Eve’s bugbear was her impatient temper, and hard work she found it to keep it in check. Sometimes she fought, against it with all her strength, praying also for strength from above, and then she would conquer, and feel that spiritual peace which brings the only true happiness in thisworld. But after a victory very frequently came a defeat, and poor Eve, with bitter sorrow, would acknowledge in her own heart that she had been worsted in the struggle with her besetting sin. This day, however, the bright sunshine and the prospect of a pleasant expedition made her feel thoroughly happy and in a good temper. She went gaily into breakfast," and kissed her father and mother, who were already there. After a little conversation Eve remarked, * Aren’t you glad it is such a delicious day, mother wewill have a good time at-Sumner?’

‘ Sumnersaid her mother, inquiringly. Then recollecting—‘ Oh, Eve, I am so sorry, but I quite forgot we had settled to go to Sumner to-day, and 1 met Mr Brown yesterday, and promised we should go to lunch there to-day.’ ‘Oh, mother'.’ exclaimed Eve, ‘must we got Cannot you send a note to say you had forgotten a previous engagement ?’ ‘ Quite impossible, dear. I must go, at all events. But I can make an excuse for you, and you could godown to Sumnei and lunch with Annie Fairlie. It seems a pity you should lose this lovely day.’ ‘ I certainly shall not go to Sumner without you," answered Eve, in injured tones. ‘ And I do not know when I may har e another chance of going, and I did so want to go to-day.’ ‘ I am very sorry for yonr disappointment, dear,’ said her mother, gently. ‘ But after all, onr trip to Sumner would only have given pleasure to ourselves, whereas going to Mrs Brown’s will be a treat to one who has very few pleasures. Old and ill, and always on the sofa, she is so dependent on others, and I am afraid there are not many who go to see her and to cheer her up.’ At any other time the mention of Mrs Brown’s infirmities would have aroused all Eve’s sympathies, but she had allowed her sense of injury to grow till it had attained complete dominion over her. ‘ Mr Brown is so insufferable,’ she said, sulkily. ‘ I don’t wonder people avoid the house. I had expected, to have a happy day, and now I shall be miserable.’ The mother sighed softly as her daughter rose from the table and left the room, closing the door with a determined snap. She glanced at her husband, but, absorbed in his paper, he had not listened to the discussion. All through the rest of the morning Eve bore herself in an injured manner, answering her mother coldly when the latter addressed her, and never volunteering a remark on her own account. She dressed for their lunch in the same spirit, and then walked out into the garden to wait for her mother. All the sweet influences of the day failed to reach her now, her evil, spirit had - gained the mastery, and her good angel grieved over the sad spectacle. Such a little thing to cause such a result, but in thehistorv of the soul, as in the history of the world, a trifle leads to a victory or to a defeat. All around Eve was pleasant and bright, the turf on which she stood so fiesh ami green, the borders brilliant with ciocuses, daffodils, and primioses, and sweet with violets, the delicate shade of green of the weeping willows, the wattles with their golden flowers and delicious |erfume, and the stately" bluegums and macrocarnas. It almost lifted the’ frown from Eve’s forehead and heart to be surrounded bv this radiance and pei fume, but her mother’s voice calling her dispelie<l the softness which was stealing over her, and it was in sullen silence that she walked to the gate.’

No one, however, eould be with the patient invalid and not feel all angry thoughts and passions die away in pity for her afflictions, and admiration for the brave spirit with which she bore them. Eve had a tender heart, and, in the endeavour*to amuse and interest her sick friend, she soon found her bad temper had taken wings and ilown away. She felt deeply ashamed of her behaviour that morning, and determined to confess her fault and beg forgiveness as soon -a.' she found herself alone with her mother. But the opportunity had not yet come, when she was obliged to leave, having some shopping to do before returning home. Her mother said she would stay some time longer with Mrs Brown and then take a cab home. It was late before Eve found herself walking home. The sun had set, and the moon was rising, and, as she got clear -of the town and walked along the road leading to their house, she stopped with the exclamation, ‘ How lovely !’ The sky, which had been so bright a blue while the sun shone, was now a bluish grey, while a mass of heavy clouds had gathered and banked themselves up along the east. A silvery line ran along the edge of this mass, and as Eve watched the white face of the moon rose behind it. Simultaneously Eve heard the mournful cry of the black swans, and a flight of those graceful-birds passed across the face of the silvery moon on their way to the sea ‘ That scene would delight the heart of a Japanese artist, I am sure,’ thought Eve, as she pursued her way. As she approached their gate she noticed a bustle and -confnsion, several people standing round some object in their midst. A sudden fear came into her heart and she quickened her steps. ‘ What is the matter ?' she gasped as she reached the group. A man turned round to her. ' There has been an accident,’ he said, ‘ and it is feared the lady will not recover; there are two doctors in there now.’ Eve never-knew.haw.she got-to the door. As she entered the housemaid met her, looking white and frightened. ‘ Oh, Miss Eve, you have come back !’ she exclaimed. 4 The mistress—’ But Eve’s strength failed, and she fainted. She came to herself to find her head on her mother's lap and her mother’s face bending over her. • Mother, she murmured, ‘ am I in heaven?’ ‘My darling, no. You are at home with me, your own mother. ’ ‘ I don't understand,’ faltered Eve, confusedly. ‘ I heard there was an accident, and I thought you—-’ ‘Mv poor little girl! There has been an accident, but I was not in it. I had been home some time when we heard a commotion at the gate, and found a -cab had been run away with and got smashed up there. There was one lady in it, and they brought her in here. I sent for the doctors, and they had just told me that the injuries, though serious, were not dangerous, when Sarah came to tell me you had fainted, and she could not bring yon round. So I left our patient to the doctors and nurse and •came to you. You came to yourself almost immediately.’ ‘ Oh, mother ! I thought it was you,’ sobbed Eve. ‘ And I had been so wicked and cross to you all the day, and I thought you would die, and I would never lie able to tell you how soiry I was, and I am so sorry, mother dear, that I should have grieved you. Kiss me and say you forgive me.’ ‘ My own child,’ murmured the mrtther. as she drew Eve’s head to her beast, ‘ I do forgive you, and I hope this lesson will make my Eve strive more against her hasty temper in future, for who knows, my precious child, whether another time the opportunity for pardon may be given.’ ‘ Oh ! mother, mother '. indeed I will try and I will pray,’ sobbed Eve, as she threw her arms round her mother's neck. And Eve did strive for patience, and though often failing, she persevered, and each year of effort gives her more strength to conquer herself.